Baseball League Decisions Imminent

The sign-up period is underway for summer baseball programs, and families are encouraged to participate. Parents are also being asked to take part in the decision-making process about whether each age group will form a local non-traveling league or if kids will be required to travel in order to play.

With overall participation declining in recent years, as well as the growing popularity of traveling teams, the structure of the league has become a somewhat divisive issue.

“You’re starting to get a split. It’s about 50-50,” Stone County Youth Activities Association (SCYAA) President Darryl Sullivan said. SCYAA sponsors the program, which includes age divisions up to 18 for softball and 15 for baseball.

“My recommendation this year was let’s get the numbers and then let’s get everybody together,” Sullivan said.

The deadline to sign up is Friday, Feb. 20, and SCYAA will have a meeting on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m. at Ozark Heritage Bank. All coaches and parents are encouraged to attend.